Fluid bearing device

ABSTRACT

A fluid bearing load supporting system having unidirectional and omnidirectional capabilities which embodies means for forming one or a plurality of fluid vortices for separating a body from a supporting surface by an intervening cushion of fluid, providing therewith an extremely low coefficient of friction that facilitates a conveyance of the body for the purposes of transportation, processing, treatment and the like.

United States Patent Neumann et al. Sept. 2, 1975 [5 FLUID BEARINGDEVICE 3.140,853 7/1964 Lenderer 308/D1G. 1

[751 Inventors: Neumann, Birmingham 3 23 1 165 1/i966 265; s HarryMackle, Ralelgh, 3,580,640 5/1971 Ericksson... 308/9 Y 3,600,046 8/1971Redmon 308/5 R [73] Assignee: Oxy Metal Industries Corporation, FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS warren 927,720 6/1963 United Kingdom 302 2 R 22i Aug. 13 1973 703,158 2/1965 Canada 308/5 R Appl. No.: 388,219

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 125,251, March 17,1971, Pat. No. 3,782,791.

[52] US. Cl 308/5 R; 308/DIG. 1

[51] Int. Cl. Fl6c 17/00 [58] Field of Search 308/5, 9, DIG. 1; 302/29,302/31, 2

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,683,635 7/1954 Wilcox302/2R 2,778,691 1/1957 Hazel....

2,805,898 9/1957 Willis 302/29 Primary Examiner--Charles J. MyhreAssistant Examiner--R. l-l. Lazarus Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harness,Dickey & Pierce [57] ABSTRACT A fluid bearing load supporting systemhaving unidirectional and omnidirectional capabilities which embodiesmeans for forming one or a plurality of fluid vortices for separating abody from a supporting surface by an intervening cushion of fluid,providing therewith an extremely low coefficient of friction thatfacilitates a conveyance of the body for the purposes of transportation,processing, treatment and the like.

14 Claims, 33 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP 2l975 3,902,769

SHEET 2 0r 5 PATENTEDSEP 2|975 3.902.769

SHEET 3 0r 6 FLUID BEARING DEVICE This is a division of application Ser.No. 125,251, filed Mar. 17, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,782,791.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A variety of techniques and systems haveheretofore been used or suggested for use for supporting loads on acushion of air which facilitates movement of the load due to theextremely low frictional characteristics of such air cushions. A basicform of such prior art hearing devices comprises a substantially flatload supporting bearing plane which is disposed in close parallel spacedclearance relationship relative to the ground or other supportingsurface, defining therebetween a clearance gap through which air ispumped and exerts the vertical force necessary to support the load. Adisadvantage of the foregoing air bearing device is that the clearancegap must be kept relatively small in order to keep the air flowrequirements within reasonable limits and the supporting surface overwhich the device operates must be relatively flat and true to providesatisfactory performance.

In order to enable satisfactory operations over terrain other thanspecially prepared ground surfaces, alternate ground effect devices havebeen developed, included among which is the peripheral jet device andthe air caster device. In the peripheral jet device, a peripheralcurtain of air is injected downwardly and inwardly from an annularnozzle located on the underside of a substantially flat body whichexerts a lifting force as a result of the combined force of the jetstriking the ground surface and the pressurized bubble of air entrappedwithin the periphery of the curtainous jet. The air caster, on the otherhand, employs a flexible diaphragm which is filled with air and isprovided with appropriate ports through which air flows and escapesaround the periphery of the diaphragm, forming a clearance gap on whichthe body is supported in a manner somewhat similar to that of the basicair bearing device.

Various modifications of the foregoing three types of ground effectvehicles have been suggested but, at least to this date, have notreceived widespread commerical acceptance because of one or moredeficiencies in their adaptation to a specific end use. Such prior arttype ground effect devices are further restricted to an operation inwhich the air flow is employed to lift a load vertically relative to asupporting ground surface or, alternatively, by a reversal in thedirection of flow to effect a lifting of a load in response to movementtoward an overhead supporting surface as the case may be. Such prior artair bearing devices have heretofore been installed directly on vehiclesor movable members to facilitate movement thereof over a groundsupporting surface requiring the provision of an appropriate air pumpingsystem on each such vehicle or member so equipped.

The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device comprising the presentinvention provides a unique approach to supporting bodies on a cushionof air or other fluid substance, whereby opposing forces areconcurrently imposed on a body which are maintained in appropriatedynamic equilibrium such that the body is retained in a spaced clearancerelationship relative to an adjacent surface. The means for forming oneor a plurality of fluid vortices can readily be incorporated in astationary frame or rail for movably supporting the article or vehiclefor unidirectional or omnidirectional movement relative thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The benefits and advantages of the presentinvention are achieved by an air or fluid bearing device comprising amember formed with at least one cavity therein having an opening at asurface of said member, from which a pressurized fluid is discharged inthe form of a vortex whichis adapted to coact with a body disposed inspaced relationship relative to said surface in a manner to concurrentlyapply attracting and repelling forces thereto that are in dynamicequilibrium, whereby the body is maintained in appropriate spacedrelationship on a substantially frictionless cushion of fluid. Thevortex diffuser fluid bearing device, in view of its unique ability toimpose push-pull forces on objects disposed adjacent thereto, canreadily be employed in a large varity of uses, of which the support andconveyance of objects on a cushion of air constitutes a particularlysatisfactory adaptation.

In one of the embodiments of the present invention, a plurality ofcavities are formed in the member, each of which is disposed incommunication with a suitable source of a pressurized gas and whereinone or a plurality of inlet jets are incorporated in each cavity which,by variation in location, size and number, impose a controlledunidirectional or omnidirectional force on objects supported thereby.The embodiment in which the member is in the form of an elongated railprovides means for simple transport of loads including vehicles, as wellas for conveyance of workpieces, through one or a plurality ofsequentially-phased processing steps. While for most purposes air isemployed as the fluid for forming the vortices and supporting fluidcushion, it is also contemplated that alternative gaseous and liquidsubstances can be employed for providing a selected treatment includingcombustible gases which can be ignited upon discharge from one or aplurality of vortex cavities to effect a heating of the objectssupported thereby.

Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent upon a reading of the description of the preferred embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sideelevational view of an air rail on which a circular cylindrical articleis movably supported in accordance with one of the embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the air railshown in FIG. 1, and taken substantially along the line 22 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the air rail section shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a fragmentary section of theunderside surface of the air rail and with the ends appropriatelychamfered for interfittingly connecting such sections together, forminga substantially continuous rail;

FIG. 5 isa diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the variations inpressure acting upon a cylindrical object as measured alonglongitudinally spaced transverse sections of an air rail adjacent to avortex diffuser;

FIG. 6 is a schematic transverse sectional view of the differentialpressures acting upon a cylindrical object supported in the air railadjacent to a vortex diffused taken along one of the transverse sectionsas shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating the arran'gement of jetsand the transverse line along which the pressure differentialsillustrated in FIG. 6 were taken; 1

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a vortex diffuser providedwith a recess along a portion of the edge thereof for imparting anincreased directional component to objects movably supported adjacent tothe vortex discharged therefrom;

FIGS. 9 through 11 are fragmentary plan views of alternativesatisfactory transverse cross sectional configurations of vortexdiffusers; FIGS. 12 through 23 are fragmentary transverse sectionalviews through members illustrating alternative satisfactory longitudinalconfigurations of vortex diffusers of this invention;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an air railincorporating an arcuate section disposed in a vertical plane;

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary plan view of an air rail incorporating anarcuate offset section disposed in a horizontal plane;

FIG. 26 is a transverse vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 2 butwherein two air rails are employed which are disposed in diametricallyopposed relationship;

FIG. 27 is a transverse vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 26 butwherein three air rails are employed which are disposed at substantiallyequal angular increments for supporting a cylindrical objecttherebetween;

FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of a linear motor in accordance withan alternative satisfactory embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a horizontal transverse sectional view of the device shown inFIG. 28 as taken substantially along the line 2929 thereof;

FIG. 30 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the device shown inFIG. 28 and taken substantially along the line 30-30 thereof.

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary plan view of an air rail sec tion provided withan aspirator for introducing air into the vortex diffuser cavitiesthereof;

FIG. 32 is a transverse vertical section view through the air rail shownin FIG. 3 and taken substantially along the line 3232 thereof;

FIG. 33 is a transverse vertical sectional view of an air rail similarto that shown in FIG. 2 and incorporating a helical induction elementfor heating the cylindrical articles conveyed therealong.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to thedrawings, and as may be best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vortex diffuserair bearing device is shown in the form of an air rail having aplurality of vortex diffusers or cavities l2 disposed at longitudinallyspaced increments therealong. The air rail assembly 10 comprises an airrail section 14 which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is formed withan arcuate concave supporting surface 16 of a configurationcorresponding substantially to the peripheral contour of an object, suchas a workpiece container l8, movably supported thereon. A manifoldsection is securely affixed to the underside of the air rail assembly 10defining a supply chamber 22 from which a pressurized gaseous substanceis supplied to each of the vortex diffusers 12. The interior of thesupply chamber 22 may suitably be connected to a source of pressurizedgas by means of a supply conduit 24 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

As best seen in FIGS. 24, each of the vortex diffusers or cavities 12 isdisposed in communication with the supply chamber 22 by means of fourvertical ports or orifices 25, each of which communicates with one orfour tangentially oriented jets 26, whereby the pressurized gas entersadjacent to the base of the vortex diffuser and moves in a helicalmanner outwardly toward the open end thereof, at which it comes incontact with the surface of an article disposed in clearancerelationship relative to the arcuate concave surface 16. The orifices 25are of a size in relation to the pressure and volume of air in thesupply chamber 22 such that the flow of air into each vortex diffuser issubstantially independent and unaffected by variations in flow rates ofadjacent vortex diffusers. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated thedischarge of the gas in the form of a vortex from each of the vortexdiffusers forms an air cushion between the periphery of the object andthe arcuate concave surface 16, which is defined by a clearance gap 28as shown in FIG. 2.

The provision of four jets 26 disposed at substantially equalcircumferential increments provides for the formation of a substantiallyuniform vortex of gas which does not have a residual linear componentthat tends to cause unilateral movement of the container 18 along theair rail assembly. Accordingly, the container may remain at rest alongselected stations and can be selectively propelled by means of theprovision of an auxiliary jet 30, as shown in FIG. 1, which is orientedso as to impinge upon the workpiece container 18, tending to propel ittoward the right as viewed in FIG. 1. The auxiliary jet 30 may suitablybe connected to the same source of pressurized gas or air employed insupplying the manifold of the air rail assembly and may operatecontinuously or may be pulsed intermittently as may be desired toachieve the appropriate conveyance of the container or article.

In a similar manner, rotation of the workpiece container 18 can beachieved by a second auxiliary jet 32, as shown in FIG. 2, which isoriented laterally of the path of travel of the container 18 and isadapted to continuously or intermittently discharge a gaseous stream forimparting rotation to the container in a generally clockwise direction,as viewed in FIG. 2. As will be noted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the supply linesconnected to auxiliary jets 30 and 32 may suitably be provided with flowcontrol valves 34 for regulating the quantity of gas dischargedtherefrom to provide the desired acceleration, deceleration velocityand/or rotation of the container, as may be desired.

The novel combination of forces applied to articles supported adjacentto the air rail is illustrated in the schematic drawings comprisingFIGS. 5-7. The particular pressure pattern will vary depending on theconfiguration of the air rail surface 16, the pressure and velocity ofthe gas forming the vortex in each of the cavities 12, the configurationand conformation of the peripheral surface of an object relative to thesurface of the air rail section, the density of the gaseous substance,the weight of the object, the spacing or distance of the clearance gapdefining the cushion of gas, the velocity of travel of the object alongthe air rail, the longitudinal spacing of adjacent vortex diffusers, thenumber and position or orientation of jets disposed in communicationwith each of the vortex diffusers for supply ing the pressurized gasthereto, the specific contour or configuration of the wall defining thecavity comprising the vortex diffuser including the shape of the cornerat which the cavity meets the air rail supporting surface, and thegeneral smoothness of the adjacent surfaces in contact with the flowinggas. The specific pressure pat tern illustrated in FIG. 5 is thatderived from readings taken at longitudinally spaced increments of aboutonefourth of an inch and at radial increments around the containerindicated at 18' in FIG. 6 of about one-fourth inch, and wherein the airrail section 14' is formed with an arcuate concave surface 16' whichoverlies approximately 38 percent of the peripheral circular cylindricalsurface of the container. The vortex diffuser 12 itself is formed withtwo jets diagrammatically indicated at 26', which permit air at roomtemperature and at a pressure of l psig to enter in accordance with thedirection of the arrows, forming a vortex rotating in a substantiallycounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7. The container 18 istypical of those employed for packaging beverages and comprises athin-walled circular cylindrical workpiece having one closed end andhaving a diameter of about 2V2 inches and a length of about 4- /8inches.

FIG. 5 illustrates the pressure differential pattern obtained atfourteen points along each of six transverse planes AF, with the profiledisposed above the lines A-F denoting a superatmospheric pressure, whilethose portions below denote a subatmospheric pressure reading. Eachtraverse of pressure readings along transverse lines A-F were made in amanner as typified by traverse C shown in FIG. 6. In the arrangementillustrated schematically in FIG. 6, the periphery of the can 18'corresponds to a pressure reading equivalent to atmospheric pressuresuch that the profile extending inwardly of the can denotes a positivepressure, while that projecting downwardly and exteriorly of the canperiphery denotes a subatmospheric pressure. As noted in FIG. 6, theflow of air outwardly through the clearance gap 28' to each side of thevortex diffuser 12 exerts a positive pressure on the container 18',which tends to lift the can 18 upwardly and away from the arcuatesurface 16'. On the other hand, a subatmospheric pressure is exerted onthe container in the region corresponding to the vortex diffuser 12,which draws the container downwardly toward the arcuate surface 16'.

Variations of the foregoing pressure pattern are obtained along thetraverses A, B and D-F, as shown in FIG. 5, whereby the net push andpull forces acting on the container are in dynamic equilibrium orbalance such that the container remains in appropriate spacedrelationshp from the surface of the air rail as supported by the cushionof air. As will be noted in FIG. 5, the pressure patterns along traverselines A, B and F denote the existence of superatmospheric pressuresalong the entire traverse, whereas subatmospheric pressures areencountered at the center portions of the traverse along lines C, D andE. In view of the push-pull forces applied to the container, it will beappreciated that the vortex diffuser fluid bearing device comprising thepresent invention can be disposed-in positions other than immediatelybeneath a container or article to be supported but may also be disposedabove such objects under conditions in which the attractive force issufficient to overcome the gravitational pull on the objects.

In accordance with the foregoing operation characteristics of the airrail assembly, it will be appreciated that a variety of alternativesatisfactory constructions can be employed consistent with the intendedend use of the air rail system and the nature of the objects or articlesto be conveyed therealong. In the specific embodirnent shown in FIGS.1-4, each air rail section 14 may conveniently be cast or extruded ofmetal, plastic or other suitable material in the form of individualsections having Z-shaped end sections indicated at 36 in FIG. 3, whichserve to assure accurate alignment of adjacent sections. The individualair rail sections 14 can be securely fastened to the upper surface ofthe manifold section 20 by means of a series of screws 38 having thehead portions thereof disposed in countersunk relationship relative tothe arcuate concave surface 16.

Alternative satisfactory variations of the embodiment as illustrated inFIGS. 14 can be made such as,for example, by providing the air railsection with a flat, convex or contoured surface in lieu of the concavesurface 16 in order to accommodate an appropriately contoured object tobe movably supported thereon. It will be further appreciated that whilethe air rail assembly as described is intended primarily to bestationary with the container or other objects movable relative thereto,it is also contemplated that the air rail assembly itself may be affixedto a movable member which in turn is transportable on a cushion of airrelative to an appropriately contoured or flat supporting or groundsurface. As previously indicated, when the device is employed solely forthe purposes of conveyance and/or transporation of articles, the fluidsubstance discharged conventionally comprises air. It will beunderstood, however, that alternative fluids can be used includingliquids and fluid mixtures such as aerosols comprising a carrier gasincorporating minute droplets of liquid therein, as well as gasesincorporating solid particles suspended therein, in addition tocombinations of the foregoing. The use of such alternative fluidsubstances is desirable when the vortex diffuser fluid bearing device isemployed for effecting a simultaneous conveyance and processing ofworkpieces supported thereby. Such selected treatments can be achievedin a prescribed sequentially-phased manner by changing the type of fluidsubstance discharged from selected sections of the air rail assemblysuch that each workpiece is subjected to a prescribed treatment duringits travel along each such section. By selecting the appropriate gaseoussubstance, workpieces such as the container 18 in FIG. 1 can besubjected to treatments including cleaning, etching, conversion coating,surface coating or painting, electrostatic coating applications,electrocoating or painting, heat treating, baking, drying, cooling,quenching, lubricating, etc.

In addition to the provision of auxiliary nozzles 30, 32 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, the vortex diffuser 12 can be modified suchthat the edge thereof, at its juncture with the surface 16, is roundedor recessed as at 40, as shown in FIG. 8, whichtends to create anunbalance in the forces acting on a supported article, tending to propelthe article in a linear direction along the rail support. A selecteddisposition of the jets in a non-uniform manner relative to each vortexdiffuser cavity alone or in further combination with the provision ofsuitable auxiliary jets can provide, in addition to a levitation of theobject, an appropriate acceleration, deceleration, left-hand orright-hand rotation, linear and/or rotative oscillation, stopping,starting and linear movement as may be required or desired to achieveappropriate conveyance and/or treatment of such objects.

In addition to the substantially circular cylindrical configuration ofthe vortex diffuser 12 as shown in FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings,alternative satisfactory configurations can be employed in order toattain desired variations in the configuration of the fluid vortexproduced and the pressure pattern thereof. As noted in FIG. 9, a vortexdiffuser 42 is shown having a substantially square transverse crosssectional configuration. A vortex diffuser 44 is illustrated in FIG.which is of a substantially equilateral triangular transverse crosssectional configuration. Pressurized fluid is supplied to the vortexdiffusers 42, 44 by means of jets 46 such that the fluid rotates in acircular direction as illustrated by the arrows in FIGS. 9 and 10,forming a vortex. It will be appreciated that although the vortexdiffusers of FIGS. 9 and 10 are of a configuration other than circular,the fluid has a tendency to form static portions in the corners of suchirregularly-shaped cavities whereby a central substantially circularoperative section is created. Due to the turbulence of the fluid in suchirregularly-shaped vortex diffusers 42, 44, some reduction in efficiencyis usually encountered and for this reason vortex diffusers of asubstantially circular transverse cross sectional configuration aregenerally preferred.

It is also contemplated that a vortex diffuser 48 of a generallyscroll-shaped configuration, as shown in FIG. 11, can be employed toadvantage in some instances for providing a highly efficientconfiguration for producing a vortex. In the vortex diffuser 48, a jet50 is disposed with its axis substantially tangential to the peripheryof the cavity defining the vortex diffuser, minimizing turbulenee.

Alternative satisfactory longitudinal cross sectional configurations ofvortex diffusers are illustrated in FIGS. 12-23. The vortex diffusers asillustrated in these figures are of a substantially circular transversecross sectional configuration and vary in diameter and/or contour onmoving outwardly from an inlet jet 52 toward the face surface 54thereof, whereby a desired variation in the vortex discharged therefromis at tained. In FIG. 12, a vortex diffuser 56 is shown which is ofsubstantially equal diameter along the length thereof and is formed witha flat bottom wall 58. The pressurized fluid is adapted to be dischargedin a substantially tangential direction into the vortex diffuser 56through the jet 52 in a direction substantially parallel to the plane ofthe bottom wall 58. The arrangement shown in FIG. 12, while somewhatsimilar to the vortex diffuser 12 shown in FIGS. 1-3, is illustrative ofstill a further embodiment of the present invention in which a port oraperture 60 is formed in the base of the vortex diffuser 56 forsupplying the same or an alternative fluid to or withdrawing fluid fromthe interior of the cavity to provide a desired variation in the flowand pressure pattern of the vortex discharged therefrom. The port oraperture 60 is connected to a suitable source of pressurized fluid (notshown) for supplying the supplemental fluid thereto. Such supplementalfluid may include. for example, a combustible gas which, upon admixturewith air supplied to the jet 52, is adapted to burn adjacent to the facesurface 54 for heating an object movably supported adjacent thereto.

Alternatively, the port 60 can be connected to a suitable source of areduced pressure for extracting a controlled amount of fluid from thevortex diffuser cavity on a continuous or intermittent basis as may bedesired to achieve a preselected effect.

A vortex diffuser 62 is illustrated in FIG. 13, which is of a conicalconverging configuration; whereas a vortex diffuser 64 is shown in FIG.14 of a conical outwardly diverging configuration. A vortex diffuser 66is shown in FIG. 15 which is of a substantially cylindricalconfiguration and is provided with an annular shoulder 68 of a reduceddiameter adjacent to the face surface 54. A vortex diffuser 70 isillustrated in FIG. 16 comprised of a substantially cylindrical lowersection 72 and a conical converging outer section 74.

FIG. 17 illustrates a vortex diffuser 76 having an annular shoulder 78of reduced diameter which is formed with a chamfered edge, indicated at80, at its inner end. A vortex diffuser 82 is shown in FIG. 18 which isof a converging square stepped configuration on moving from the insidethereof outwardly toward the face surface 54. A divergent vortexdiffuser 84 is shown in FIG. 19 in which the side walls thereof are of aparabolic curvature.

A vortex diffuser 86 is shown in FIG. 20 which is of a substantiallycircular cylindrical configuration and incorporates a substantiallyconcentric central cylindrical core 88 forming an annular cavity. Avortex diffuser 90, as illustrated in FIG. 21, is similar to that shownin FIG. 20 but the central core 92 is of a truncated conicalconfiguration. It will be noted in FIGS. 20 and 22 that the end portionsof central cores 88, 92 terminate at a point disposed in the plane ofthe face surface 54.

A vortex diffuser 94 is illustrated in FIG. 22 which is formed withoutwardly divergent arcuate walls and a conical central core 96terminating at a point lying in the plane of the face surface 54. Avortex diffuser 98 is shown in FIG. 23 which is formed with asubstantially circular cylindrical outer wall and an arcuate centralcore 100 disposed concentrically thereof which terminates at a pointspaced inwardly of the plane of the face surface 54.

It will be appreciated that still other alternative configurations ofvortex diffusers from those shown in FIGS. 9 through 23 can be employedin order to provide the desired operating characteristics consistentwith the intended end use of the system.

In addition to substantially straight sections of the air rail as shownin FIGS. 1-3, it is also contemplated that the air rail can be formed inarcuate configurations disposed in vertical and horizontal planes. Anair rail 102 is fragmentarily shown in FIG. 24, along which a pluralityof containers 104 are movably supported and are advanced in a generallyclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 24, around an arcuate end sectionwhich is disposed in a substantially vertical plane. In order to retainthe containers 104 on the arcuate end section, it is usually desired toposition the vortex diffusers at closer in crements to assure that atleast one such vortex diffuser will at all times be in operative contactwith the surface of such container. In a similar manner, a rail 106 isshown in FIG. 25 which incorporates an arcuate S- shaped offset sectiontherein, along which the containcrs 108 are movably transported.

In the various fluid rail arrangements previously described, a singlerail is employed for forming the cushion of fluid on which the articlesare movably supported. It is also contemplated within the scope of thepresent invention that two or more fluid rail assemblies can be employedfor providing a clamping effect upon articles movably supportedtherebetween. FIG. 26 illustrates the use of two fluid rail assemblies110 which are disposed in diametrically opposed relationship forsupporting an article such as a cylindrical container 1 12 therebetween.Similarly, FIG. 27 illustrates the use of three fluid rail assemblies114 which are disposed at substantially equal arcuate increments formovably supporting an article such as the substantially cylindricalcontainer 116 therebetween.

In addition to providing for conveyance of objects and/or a treatmentthereof, the vortex diffuser of the present invention can also beemployed as a linear motor, such as illustrated in FIGS. 28-30. Asshown, the device comprises a pair of substantially flat opposed platens1 18, each formed with four vortex diffusers 120 to which a pressurizedfluid, such as air, is supplied from plenums 122. The face surfaces ofthe platens 1 18 are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate astrip or sheet 124 which is supported substantially centrallytherebetween by a fluid cushion on each face surface thereof. Apropelling force in a unilateral direction is applied to the strip 124by orienting jets 126 of the vortex diffusers 120 such that a netpropulsive force is exerted by each such vortex diffuser in thedirection of the arrows as shown in FIG. 29. Accordingly, the strip 124is adapted to be continuously advanced in a direction from left toright, as viewed in FIG. 28, while supported on a substantiallyfrictionless fluid cushion.

The strip 124 of the linear motor shown in FIG. 28 may be of a closedloop configuration with the ends thereof trained around suitable shaftsor pulleys for converting the linear movement thereof to a rotarymovement as may be desired. In addition, the device shown in FIGS. 28-31can also be employed as a tensioning device for applying and/ormaintaining a preselected tension on a strip or sheet which can bevaried by controlling the pressure 'of fluid discharged from the vortexdiffusers.

An alternative arrangement for supplying an appropriate volume ofpressurized fluid to the vortex diffusers of a rail is illustrated inFIGS. 31 and 32. In the specific embodiment illustrated, an aspiratoreffect is employed which is driven by a low volume high pressure supplyof fluid which is operative to entrain substantially larger volumes oflow pressure fluid which, in combination, are discharged from angularjets 128 into vortex diffusers 130 of a rail 132. The supply of the highpressure fluid, such as air, enters a manifold 134 through a supply pipe136 and is discharged through aligned ports 138 into the angular jets128. The aspirating effect formed by the high-velocity discharge ofpressurized air into the jets 128 causes air in the surroundingatmosphere, as shown in FIG. 32, to be drawn into the outer end of thejets 128, the opening of which is controlled by a metering plate 140.

An arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 33 whereby an article 142, such asa container, while movably supported on an air rail section 144, can beheated by a helically wound induction coil 146 to provide a desireddegree of heat treatment, drying, etc.

While it will be apparent that the invention herein disclosed is wellcalculated to achieve the benefits and advantages hereinabove set forth,it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible tomodification, variation and change without departing from the spiritthereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A vortex diffuser fluid bearing device comprising a three-dimensionalmember having one surface formed with a cavity extending inwardlythereof, said cavity being of a generally divergent longitudinal crosssectional configuration on moving in a direction outwardly thereoftoward said one surface, supply means disposed in communication withsaid cavity for supplying a fluid thereto in a manner to cause saidfluid to travel in a helical direction about the axis of said cavity inthe form of a vortex and outwardly beyond said one surface of saidmember, a body disposed in overlying spaced relationship and outside ofthe opening of said cavity and said one surface therearound andseparated from said one surface on a cushion of said fluid, said fluiddischargedfrom said cavity outwardly between said one surface and theadjacent surface of said body for simultaneously applying an attractiveand a separating force to said body.

2. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 1, inwhich said cavity is of a generally conical divergent configuration.

3. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 1, inwhich said cavity is of a generally parabolic divergent configuration.

4. A vortex diffuser fluid bearing device comprising a three-dimensionalmember having one surface formed with a cavity extending inwardlythereof, said cavity being of a generally convergent longitudinal crosssectional configuration on moving in a direction outwardly thereoftoward said one surface, supply means disposed in communication withsaid cavity for supplying a fluid thereto in a manner to cause saidfluid to travel in a helical direction about the axis of said cavity inthe form of a vortex and outwardly beyond said one surface of saidmember, a body disposed in overlying spaced relationship and outside ofthe opening of said cavity and said one surface therearound andseparated from said one surface on a cushion of said fluid, said fluiddischarged from said cavity outwardly between said one surface and theadjacent surface of said body for simultaneously applying an attractiveand a separating force to said body.

5. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 4, inwhich said cavity is of a generally conical convergent configuration.

6. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 4, inwhich said cavity is comprised of a series of generally cylindricalaxially aligned surfaces of progressively reduced diameter to impart aconvergent configuration thereto.

7. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 4, inwhich said cavity is comprised of a generally cylindrical surfacedisposed in axial alignment with a conical surface to impart aconvergent configuration thereto.

8. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 4, inwhich said cavity is comprised of a first substantially cylindricalsurface and a second substantially cylindrical surface of a diametersmaller than said first cylindrical surface disposed in axial alignmentand end-to-end communication and forming at their interesection asubstantially conical shoulder of an annular configuration to impart aconvergent configuration thereto.

9. A vortex diffuser fluid bearing device comprising a three-dimensionalmember having one surface formed with a cavity extending inwardlythereof, supply means disposed in communication with said cavity forsupplying a fluid thereto in a manner to cause said fluid to travel in ahelical direction about the axis of said cavity in the form of a vortexand outwardly beyond said one surface of said member, a body disposed inoverlying spaced relationship and outside of the opening of said cavityand said one surface therearound and separated from said one surface ona cushion of said fluid, said fluid discharged from said cavityoutwardly between said one surface and the adjacent surface of said bodyfor simultaneously applying an attractive and a separating force to saidbody, said member further formed with a recess at the edge defined bythe juncture of said one surface and said cavity, said recess extendingalong a section of the length of said edge through which a portion ofsaid fluid escapes in a manner to exert a force for moving said body ina longitudinal direction relative to said one surface.

' 10. A vortex diffuser fluid bearing device comprising athree-dimensional member having one surface formed with a cavityextending inwardly thereof, said cavity including a base surface formedwith a core projecting centrally of said base surface and axially ofsaid cavity outwardly toward said one surface for at least a portion ofthe longitudinal length of said cavity, supply means disposed incommunication with said cavity for supplying a fluid thereto in a mannerto cause said fluid to travel in a helical direction about the axis ofsaid cavity in the form of a vortex and outwardly beyond said onesurface of said member, a body disposed in overlying spaced relationshipand outside of the opening of said cavity and said one surfacetherearound and separated from said one surface on a cushion of saidfluid, and fluid discharged from said cavity outwardly between said onesurface and the adjacent surface of said body for simultaneouslyapplying an attractive and a separating force to said body.

11. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 10, inwhich said core terminates at a point spaced from the plane of said onesurface.

12. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 10, inwhich said core terminates at a point coincidence with the plane of saidone surface.

13. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 10, inwhich said core is of a generally cylindrical configuration.

14. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 10, inwhich said core is of a generally conical configuration.

1. A vortex diffuser fluid bearing device comprising a three-dimensionalmember having one surface formed with a cavity extending inwardlythereof, said cavity being of a generally divergent longitudinal crosssectional configuration on moving in a direction outwardly thereoftoward said one surface, supply means disposed in communication withsaid cavity for supplying a fluid thereto in a manner to cause saidfluid to travel in a helical direction about the axis of said cavity inthe form of a vortex and outwardly beyond said one surface of saidmember, a body disposed in overlying spaced relationship and outside ofthe opening of said cavity and said one surface therearound andseparated from said one surface on a cushion of said fluid, said fluiddischarged from said cavity outwardly between said one surface and theadjacent surface of said body for simultaneously applying an attractiveand a separating force to said body.
 2. The vortex diffuser fluidbearing device as defined in claim 1, in which said cavity is of agenerally conical divergent configuration.
 3. The vortex diffuser fluidbearing device as defined in claim 1, in which said cavity is of agenerally parabolic divergent configuration.
 4. A vortex diffuser fluidbearing device comprising a threedimensional member having one surfaceformed with a cavity extending inwardly thereof, said cavity being of agenerally convergent longitudinal cross sectional configuration onmoving in a direction outwardly thereof toward said one surface, supplymeans disposed in communication with said cavity for supplying a fluidthereto in a manner to cause said fluid to travel in a helical directionabout the axis of said cavity in the form of a vortex and outwardlybeyond said one surface of said member, a body disposed in overlyingspaced relationship and outside of the opening of said cavity and saidone surface therearound and separated from said one surface on a cushionof said fluid, said fluid discharged from said cavity outwardly betweensaid one surface and the adjacent surface of said body forsimultaneously applying an attractive and a separating force to saidbody.
 5. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 4,in which said cavity is of a generally conical convergent configuration.6. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 4, inwhich said cavity is comprised of a series of generally cylindricalaxially aligned surfaces of progressively reduced diameter to impart aconvergent configuration thereto.
 7. The vortex diffuser fluid bearingdevice as defined in claim 4, in which said cavity is comprised of agenerally cylindrical surface disposed in axial alignment with a conicalsurface to impart a convergent configuration thereto.
 8. The vortexdiffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim 4, in which saidcavity is comprised of a first substantially cylindrical surface and asecond substantially cylindrical surface of a diameter smaller than saidfirst cylindrical surface disposed in axial alignment and end-to-endcommunication and forming at their interesection a substantiallY conicalshoulder of an annular configuration to impart a convergentconfiguration thereto.
 9. A vortex diffuser fluid bearing devicecomprising a three-dimensional member having one surface formed with acavity extending inwardly thereof, supply means disposed incommunication with said cavity for supplying a fluid thereto in a mannerto cause said fluid to travel in a helical direction about the axis ofsaid cavity in the form of a vortex and outwardly beyond said onesurface of said member, a body disposed in overlying spaced relationshipand outside of the opening of said cavity and said one surfacetherearound and separated from said one surface on a cushion of saidfluid, said fluid discharged from said cavity outwardly between said onesurface and the adjacent surface of said body for simultaneouslyapplying an attractive and a separating force to said body, said memberfurther formed with a recess at the edge defined by the juncture of saidone surface and said cavity, said recess extending along a section ofthe length of said edge through which a portion of said fluid escapes ina manner to exert a force for moving said body in a longitudinaldirection relative to said one surface.
 10. A vortex diffuser fluidbearing device comprising a three-dimensional member having one surfaceformed with a cavity extending inwardly thereof, said cavity including abase surface formed with a core projecting centrally of said basesurface and axially of said cavity outwardly toward said one surface forat least a portion of the longitudinal length of said cavity, supplymeans disposed in communication with said cavity for supplying a fluidthereto in a manner to cause said fluid to travel in a helical directionabout the axis of said cavity in the form of a vortex and outwardlybeyond said one surface of said member, a body disposed in overlyingspaced relationship and outside of the opening of said cavity and saidone surface therearound and separated from said one surface on a cushionof said fluid, and fluid discharged from said cavity outwardly betweensaid one surface and the adjacent surface of said body forsimultaneously applying an attractive and a separating force to saidbody.
 11. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device as defined in claim10, in which said core terminates at a point spaced from the plane ofsaid one surface.
 12. The vortex diffuser fluid bearing device asdefined in claim 10, in which said core terminates at a pointcoincidence with the plane of said one surface.
 13. The vortex diffuserfluid bearing device as defined in claim 10, in which said core is of agenerally cylindrical configuration.
 14. The vortex diffuser fluidbearing device as defined in claim 10, in which said core is of agenerally conical configuration.